The state of Alabama requires all of it’s peace officers to be certified through the APOSTC, this is done by successfully completing the academy training in any of the Alabama POST Commission certified schools. It is important to take note that before a candidate becomes qualified for the academy, he or she must be employed full time (work at least 40 hours per week) by a law enforcement agency.

Some Requirements to Become a Police Officer in Alabama

Rule 650-X-2.01 stipulates that in order to be qualified for the academy, a candidate must be employed full time as a peace officer by a law enforcement agency.

If the candidate is working less than full time, they should request a waiver from the commission to allow them to attend the academy.

Applicants must be no less than 19 years old.

Should be an American citizen.

At least have a high school diploma or GED.

Should be certified by a licensed physician to be in good physical health fit to perform their duties as a peace officer.

Should be of good moral character and reputation.

Must pass the psychological test.

Former military personnel who wish to join must be honorably discharged from the armed forces.

Potential Dis Qualifiers in Becoming a Peace Officer in Alabama

Conviction of any felony or misdemeanor even if their sentence is pardoned.

Found to have illegally owned, possessed or carry a firearm, not limited to piston, handgun or shotgun.

Anyone who is required to register as a sex offender.

Candidates caught falsifying their application forms must wait another 2 years in order to be allowed to submit another application.

Application Packaged Required Before Attending the Academy

All qualified cadets attending the academy should complete the application package as required by the Alabama POST Commission:

Application form must be fully completed – can be printed or typewritten.

Medical certification by a licensed doctor.

An affidavit that certifies that the candidate meets all requirements to become a law enforcement officer under provisions of title 36-21-46.

A copy of their high school diploma or GED.

Two copies of POST O.R.I. fingerprint cards.

A release form.

Alabama Police Academy Requirements

All students in the academy are required to complete around 480 hours of basic training.

The overall score on written exams should be at least 70%.

The overall score in the first aid exam should be at least 70%.

Legal issues exam score should be at least 70%.

All cadets should pass the physical exam or agility test.

Should pass 43 hours of firearms training qualifying in two out of three attempts in the course.

Student cannot be absent in more than 5% of the required training hours.

Important Update

It is important to note that starting in November 2011, the state of Alabama adopted a new act regarding the role and functions of the law enforcement officers. The new act, known as the Alabama Law Enforcement’s Role In Immigration, stipules several modifications which officers who are already enrolled in the police force should be aware of.

For starters, the continuing education becomes mandatory and all employed police officers are required to fulfill at least 4 hours of block instruction training to maintain certification. Those interested in how to become a police officer in Alabama on the other hand, have nothing to worry about, as the 4 hours of mandatory training has already been included in the curricula of the police academies.

Application Modifications

The Alabama Peace Officer’s Standard and Training Commission has adjusted the application submission policy. For instance, the necessary paperwork to enroll in a police academy should first be submitted to APOSTC exactly three weeks before the academy start date. In addition to asking the candidates to respect the strictly imposed deadlines, the commission also places a great emphasis on submitting the applications correctly.

In short, if the candidate does not follow the step-by-step instructions on the APOSTC website and he cannot see his status online in the APOST ACTIONS sections, then the application has not been submitted and hence, the Standard and Training Commission will not be able to work on it.

Important Details About the Application

The employed police officers as well as the recruits are asked to make an application to APOSTC in order to attain their certification, as deemed mandatory by the Alabama law. Overall, this application has the role of renewing the database of certified law enforcement officers in Alabama.

It is necessary to point out that all blank fields in the application must be filled and that the applicant must have all the necessary information available, as the password will expire immediately after the submission. An important modification is the method of inserting the height of the officers, which is now mandatorily expressed in inches. Therefore, instead of typing in 5’10’’, the applicant must fill in 70 inches in the designated blank space.

The other significant details to be included in the APOSTC application are as follows:

Date(s) of military service (specifying the character of the discharge)